Comparison of Root Surface Wear and Roughness Resulted from Different Ultrasonic Scalers and Polishing Devices Applied on Human Teeth: An In-Vitro Study

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to compare the root surface wear and roughness, resulted from the professional dental hygiene instruments, including ultrasonic dental scalers, rubber prophy cups, and nylon bristle brushes, on the extracted human mandibular incisor teeth. Teeth (n = 80) were randomly assigned into eight groups according to the applied scaler type (Ma = Magnetostrictive, Pi = Piezoelectric), degree of power (M = Medium, F = Full), and angulation (0 • and 45 • ). In the second stage, the specimens (n = 40) were further divided into two groups according to the applied polishing device (nylon bristle brush or rubber prophy cup). Laser scanner and contact profilometer devices were used for the surface analysis. Both ultrasonic instruments tested in our study produced rougher surfaces when full power was used at a 0 • angle (p < 0.01). The highest wear (0.82 ± 0.07 mm 3 ) and roughness values (0.30 ± 0.01 µm) were detected in the PiF0 group. Polishing performed with a rubber prophy cup resulted in almost twice the wear as well as a smoother surface when compared to polishing performed with a nylon bristle brush (p < 0.001). Variations in the application parameters of ultrasonic scalers and the type of polishing instrument might lead to significantly different root-surface characteristics.

The Effect of Ultrasonic Scaling and Air-Powder Polishing on the Roughness of the Enamel, Three Different Nanocomposites, and Composite/Enamel and Composite/Cementum Interfaces

“…The teeth were extracted in the context of the treatment plan, and all patients gave written informed consent. After the extraction, the teeth were scaled to remove organic and inorganic debris and stored in 0.1% thymol solution [4,22,36] for 1 week for disinfection. To prevent dehydration, the samples were kept in distilled water until they were used [37,38].…”

“…Periodontal disease is one of the six most prevalent noncommunicable conditions [1,2], affecting between 20% and 50% of people worldwide [3]. Periodontal diseases are a set of inflammatory conditions that affect the supporting structures of the teeth, result in attachment and bone loss, and, without due treatment, can lead to spontaneous tooth loss or extraction [4]. They are associated with the presence of a microbial biofilm, which is a highly organized community of microorganisms embedded in an extracellular matrix composed of polysaccharides [5][6][7][8].…”

“…This necessitates periodontal therapy and/or maintenance that involves the removal of supra-and subgingival biofilm and calculus and obtaining a biologically acceptable root surface [4,9]. Biofilm and other dental deposits should be regularly removed every 3 to 6 months [10,11], depending on the patient's periodontal status.…”

“…Oral debridement typically involves ultrasonic/sonic scaling, air-powder polishing, or their combination followed by the application of polishing pastes [12]. Polishing is believed to be an important step, since it reduces surface roughness and marginal seepage [13] and removes stains and biofilm [4].…”

“…The gingival margins of such restorations are close to the periodontal tissues; therefore, the marginal integrity of cervical restorations may be altered during ultrasonic scaling or air-powder polishing [16,18]. While many studies have described the effects of periodontal therapies on oral hard and soft tissues [4,12,24,[33][34][35], and several studies have assessed their effects on composite surface roughness and marginal gap formation, to the best of our knowledge, few studies have evaluated both ultrasonic scaling and air-powder polishing in the framework of a single in vitro research.…”